Mt. Lebanon Officials To Reassess Deer Management Program In Fall

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Mount Lebanon's decision to control the deer population had people on both sides of the issue up in arms.

Yet suddenly, the deer cull ended ten days early.

"During the course of the program, six deer were killed, which is obviously well short of the maximum 150 deer that was part of the contract," Mount Lebanon Commission President John Bendel said.

After a very short run, Mount Lebanon's deer culling program ended. People on both sides of the issue went to Monday's commissioners meeting to talk about it.

"What they were attempting was an abysmal failure, and we are expecting the gardeners will be back in here demanding that the deer be hunted. They want them extinct in Mt. Lebanon so they can garden and not worry about anything," Barbara Sollenberger said.

"I do appreciate the hard work you have done here. It hasn't been an easy case for any of you so from me, thank you for the work you have done so far and I am looking forward to seeing a good cull in the fall," Nancy Smith said.

Contractors gave three reasons for an unsuccessful cull. They got a late start this winter, and a March thaw provided more food for the deer and kept them out of the pens.

But, there was more.

"Direct sabotage of the corrals and corruption of the animals in the areas surrounding the corrals led to fewer deer entering the corrals," Bendel said.

Still residents are not happy with how commissioners looked at the numbers and chose to spend taxpayer money.

"What's the deal? Why don't we get it right? I think there are many other things we can do in this township besides blow money on something that will not work and has no meaning," one man said.

After stepping away from the issue for a couple months, commissioners plan to re-assess their deer management program in the fall.

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